Ola Runt on Working with Gucci Mane, New Mixtape & Wanting All The Smoke

Ola Runt, an emerging artist from the Zone 6 neighborhood of Edgewood, Atlanta, has been quickly generating buzz in the city and beyond. He began developing his distinctive sound and lyricism in his early teens, cooking up in the studio, which his father built to get him off the streets, for nearly two years before releasing any music. 

As Ola’s musical growth progressed, he started gaining attention from his neighborhood and local peers with tracks like “Brazy Story” Remix, “Monkey Bars” and “Feel Like Guwop,” which picked up organic airplay from local DJs. As the rest of Atlanta took notice, he continued building excitement with collaborations from Young Nudy and 645AR, while working on his debut EP. 

On March 13, 2020, Ola released his first body of work entitled Mama Tried, featuring standout production from Bankroll Gotit, Yung Tago and Yung Lando, to name a few. The lead single, “Feel Like Guwop,” earned him co-signs from Lil Baby, 21 Savage, Meek Mill and Southside, and the music video pays homage to the legacy of an Atlanta music scene innovator, Gucci Mane. After hearing the track, Gucci took Ola under his wing as ‘The New 1017’ and included Ola as a featured artist on his upcoming compilation album. 

On May 29th Ola Runt released his 'Beggin For a Body' mixtape, executive produced by Gucci Mane. Atlanta is consistently breeding superstars, with the streets of Zone 6 specifically known as one of the meccas for street raised mega-talents. However you choose to define it, there’s a new wolf walking the Eastside streets. 

Learn more about Ola Runt's journey to the top below, where we get into how he got on Gucci Mane's radar, his thoughts on Atlanta's Hip Hop scene and the makings of 'Beggin For a Body' Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾

Photo credit: Sam Conant

When did you know you wanted to pursue your career full time?

I used to listen to the radio and I felt like my flow was better than what I was listening to. A lot of people told me that I got potential and I decided to take it serious and get real studio time, and do it for real.

Where were you in your life when you first started putting out music?

I was on Moreland Avenue in Atlanta when I first started putting out my music. My dad had a car lot space that we turned into a studio and I just started droppin’ music videos on YouTube and music on Soundcloud. My first release was at the beginning of 2018 and every time I put out something new, my numbers went up. I watched my numbers go all the way up from scratch. That motivated me to keep going–just knowing that I was touchin’ new people every day and I had a lot of fans referring my music to other people.

What do you think are some of the strengths and weaknesses of Atlanta’s Hip Hop scene?

The hip-hop scene in Atlanta is basically clout chasing. Instead of workin’ hard to get on, a lot of people troll their way on. They try to troll their way to success. People make it look like they be together but it’s all for show. Atlanta has a big rap scene, which is good, but it ain’t always genuine. 

How did you and Gucci Mane start working together?

A manager out in Florida got in touch with me and said Gucci wanted to talk to me. And he got me on the phone with Gucci. This was recently–around the time when Coronavirus and quarantine first started out here. 

What’s your favorite project or song from him?

My favorite Gucci Mane song is “Truth.” 

Aside from Gucci Mane, who else inspires you to be great? 

Roddy Rich...I look at how big he got. Lil Baby, DaBaby, YoungBoy, Rod Wave are the other artists I really like, that motivate me to keep goin’.

So, you just released your 'Beggin For a Body' mixtape. What type of sound were you going for?

I was just goin’ for the streets on that one. I was goin’ for that southern drill. In New York, they got their own type of drill and I was just tryin’ to bring out my own drill for the south. I put a lot of street stuff into the project...a lot of different things my community is goin’ through in the world right now. The project is raw and uncut. 

Why did you decide to call it 'Beggin For a Body'?

I called the mixtape 'Beggin For a Body' because I want the smoke. I want smoke with anybody who think they can go against me or challenge me or diss me. I’m gon’ take it there. And it’s just me letting my fans know that I’m all in and wid ‘em 100 percent.

The project has been well-received. Do you plan on following it up with any visuals we should keep a lookout for?

I just dropped the visual for “Red Rum” off the mixtape. And I got three more visuals on the way that my fans can be expecting me to drop.

Which track from the project do you want fans to hear the most?

“Lonely” really mean the most to me on this mixtape cuz’ it’s really about how I feel and what’s goin’ on in my head uncut when I’m by myself. My real thoughts when I’m in the booth on a whole ‘nother vibe.  

Anything else we should know before you go?

Go listen to my latest Beggin For a Body mixtape and watch my videos for “Feel Like Guwop” featuring Gucci Mane and “Red Rum.”